What Are Bedbugs?

Written by Hirania Luzardo
Medically Reviewed by Shruthi N, MD on October 20, 2025
9 min read

Bedbugs are small, reddish-brown insects that feed on the blood of people and animals. They don't have wings and are about the size of an apple seed. Their bodies are flat and oval-shaped.

Young bedbugs, called nymphs, are smaller and look translucent or pale yellow. If they haven't fed recently, they can be very hard to see. Bedbug eggs are tiny and white, making them easy to miss.

Adult bedbugs are flat and about the size of an apple seed, around 5-7 millimeters long. After they feed, they swell and turn reddish.

Their flat bodies let them squeeze into tiny spaces, as thin as a credit card.

Bedbugs don't build nests like ants or bees. They live in groups and hide in cracks, seams, and corners. They can't fly, but they move fast across floors, walls, and ceilings.

Female bedbugs lay hundreds of tiny eggs, each the size of a speck of dust. Young bedbugs, called nymphs, shed their skin five times before becoming adults, needing a blood meal each time. In good conditions, they grow up in about a month and can have several generations a year. Bedbugs usually live for 10 months to a year.

Bedbugsusually get into your home from other places that are already infested with them. If you live in an apartment or condo, they can travel from another unit in your building. They might hitch a ride on used upholstered furniture. Or you could carry them in on luggage or a purse that you set down in a place that has bedbugs.

They're tiny and good at hiding during the day, so it's easy for them to get into your home without you knowing it.

Places where bedbugs can live include:

  • Apartments
  • Shelters
  • Hotels
  • Rooming houses
  • Dorm rooms
  • Cruise ships
  • Buses
  • Trains

Bedbugs aren't considered dangerous. "The most common issue is the development of an itchy, red rash that usually appears in a line or a cluster. If you scratch too much, it can lead to a skin infection such as impetigo or cellulitis," says María Escarcia, DO, emergency medicine physician at Baptist Health South Florida. 

"Bedbug bites can also trigger allergic reactions," Escarcia says. "These may include hives, asthma, or even anaphylaxis — an allergic reaction that causes symptoms like swelling, trouble breathing, and a sudden drop in blood pressure."

In cases of severe or long-term infestations, bedbugs have been linked to iron-deficiency anemia and psychological distress, Escarcia adds. See your doctor if you notice any of these symptoms.

There's no evidence that bedbugs spread disease to humans.

You may not notice bedbugs right away. Some people don't react to bites, while others see small red marks later. Often, the first clues are the signs they leave behind.

Look for:

  • Small blood stains on your sheets or mattress
  • Tiny black dots (bedbug droppings)
  • Pale yellow eggs or eggshells
  • Shed skins that look like the bugs themselves
  • A sweet, musty smell around your bed
  • Actual bedbugs on your mattress, box spring, or headboard

 

 

 

 

If you think you may have bedbugs in your home, inspect your mattress and bed carefully, especially in the crevices. Bedbugs like to hide in these areas, where they have easy access to people to bite. You might find them near the seams, tags, and piping of your mattress or box springs, or in cracks in your bed frame or headboard.

But over time, the tiny bugs may move farther out into any crevice or location that offers a hiding place. You could find them:

  • In the seams or between the cushions of sofas and chairs
  • In the folds of curtains
  • In the joints of drawers
  • In electrical outlets and appliances
  • In rooms or apartments nearby
  • On clothing
  • Under peeling paint or loose wallpaper
  • In box springs
  • In bedding
  • Under carpeting near baseboards
  • On luggage
  • In boxes
  • On mattresses
  • On objects near the bed
  • On headboards

Because bedbugs live only on blood, they're not a sign of dirtiness. You are as likely to find them in neat and clean homes as in messy ones.

Bedbugs are active mainly at night and usually bite you while you're sleeping. They pierce the skin and take your blood through their long beaks. The bugs feed for 3-10 minutes until they're full, then crawl away.

If you have a bedbug bite, you may notice an itchy spot on your skin. On people with light skin tones, the bites usually look red. On darker skin, they may be purple. It can be harder to see them on dark skin. Bedbug bites may look different on everyone, as some people may have no reaction, while others may be allergic and have a severe reaction.

Bedbugs tend to leave groups of bites in a straight row or zigzag pattern, but they can also be in a random pattern. You may not notice bites right away, as it can take up to two weeks for marks to develop.

Unlike flea bites, which are mainly around your ankles, you'll find bedbug bites on areas of skin that are exposed while you're sleeping, often your face, neck, or hands. Also, unlike flea bites, bedbug bites don't have a red spot in the center.

You may think the itching and welts are from other causes, such as mosquitoes. To confirm a bedbug infestation, you must find and identify the bugs.

Bedbug bites can lead to insomnia, anxiety, and skin problems due to itching. 

Bedbug allergy

If you are allergic to bedbugs, the main difference will be how itchy the bites are. If your bites are unbearable, you are likely having an allergic reaction and should see a doctor. Your doctor will treat your reaction. 

Bedbug rash

Many types of skin conditions look similar to bedbug bites. You may have hives, a fungal infection, or heat rash, all of which can cause red bumps, which can easily be mistaken for bedbugs. If you aren't sure, look for signs of bedbugs to confirm that you have been bitten, or seek out advice from your doctor.

To get rid of bedbugs, you can start by taking some steps at home:

  • Wash your bedding, curtains, and clothing in hot water, and dry them on the highest dryer setting. Put stuffed animals, shoes, and other items that can't be washed in the dryer and run it on high for 30 minutes or more.
  • Use a stiff brush to scrub mattress seams to remove bedbugs and their eggs before vacuuming.
  • Vacuum your bed and the area around it every day, including windows and molding. Afterward, put the vacuum cleaner bag in a plastic bag and place it in the garbage outdoors right away.
  • Put a tightly woven, zippered cover on your mattressand box springs to keep bedbugs from entering or escaping. Bedbugs can live several months without feeding. So keep the cover on your mattress for at least a year.
  • Repair cracks in plaster and glue down peeling wallpaper to get rid of any potential hiding places for bedbugs.
  • Get rid of clutter around your bed, and move your bed away from your walls and other furniture.
  • If you live in a hot place, you can place your things in an enclosed bag and leave them in your car to bake in the sun. The target temperature is at least 120 F.

If your mattress is infested, you may want to get a new one. But first, take the above precautions for the rest of your home so bedbugs won't get into your new mattress.

Bedbug spray

Getting rid of bedbugs completely often requires chemical treatments. Make sure you use only Environmental Protection Agency- approved pesticides with labels that say they're meant to control bedbugs. Don't treat mattresses and bedding unless the label specifically says you can use them on bedding. Never apply them to your body.

It's usually best to hire a professional exterminator who has experience with bedbugs.

A few ways to stop bedbugs (and bedbug bites) include:

  • Use a protective cover on your mattress and box springs. Check it regularly for holes.
  • Get rid of clutter in your bedroom so bedbugs don't have many places to hide.
  • Vacuum regularly, including your mattress, carpet, curtains, and upholstered furniture.
  • When you stay away from home, put your bag on a suitcase stand, dresser, or table rather than on the bed or floor. When you get home, wash all the clothes from your trip and dry them in a hot dryer. 
  • Wear pajamas with long sleeves and long pants to protect your skin from bites.
  • Carefully inspect used upholstered furniture before bringing it inside.
  • Avoid used mattresses and bedding.
  • Use plastic bags to hold your clothes and linens while using shared laundry facilities. Bring clean clothes home to fold them, if possible.
  • If you live in a multiunit building, install barriers under your doors and seal cracks around baseboards.

Myth 1: Having a foam mattress protects you from bedbugs.
While bedbugs can't live inside foam, they can still hide in cracks and crevices, such as your bed frame or headboard. Mattress covers help, but they don't stop bedbugs from living elsewhere in your room.

Myth 2: Bedbugs only travel on fabric.
Bedbugs can move on their own. They crawl through outlets, hallways, and doorways. They don't need clothing or luggage to spread — they just use them as an easy ride.

Myth 3: You have to throw away everything you own.
That's not true. Pest control experts can treat your home using high heat to kill bedbugs. Once your belongings are treated, they're safe to keep and use again.

Myth 4: Once you get rid of them, they're gone for good.
Bedbugs can survive for months without feeding. It's important to call a professional exterminator quickly and follow up to make sure all the bugs are gone.

If you have symptoms other than itching, such as hives or blisters, or if you think you may be having an allergic reaction, call your doctor.

Bedbugs can live almost anywhere and move from place to place with ease. To protect your home, learn how to spot the signs early and stay alert if you suspect an infestation. Call a pest control professional to handle the problem safely. If you notice an allergic reaction or severe skin irritation from bites, contact your doctor right away.

Are bedbugs a sign of a dirty house?

No, bedbugs aren’t a sign of a dirty house. These pests don't care whether a place is spotless or messy because what attracts them is people. They feed on human blood and are drawn to warmth and the carbon dioxide we breathe out. That's why you can find them almost anywhere people live or travel, from five-star hotels and cruise ships to apartments, dorms, shelters, buses, and trains. However, a cluttered home can make it easier for a bedbugs to spread and go unnoticed.

Do bedbug bites itch more during the rainy season?

Bedbugs tend to thrive in warm, humid weather. During the rainy season, they reproduce and lay eggs more quickly and more often, which can increase the number of bites you get. The bites themselves don't necessarily itch more because of the rain, but having more bedbugs around can make the problem feel worse.

Can bedbugs appear in my car?

Bedbugs can appear in your car. If someone carries them in from an infested place, they can cling to clothing, bags, or luggage and end up inside your vehicle. Once there, they can hide in seat seams, floor mats, or upholstery. Regular cleaning and vacuuming can help keep them from settling in.